The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-13
SEDG WICK'S LAST BATTLE
THE SIXTH CORPS UNVEILS IRE
TABLET TO HIS MEMORY.

Veterans Who Wore the Blue Take
Another Look at the Shot-Riddled
Church -Virginians Greet the Visitors
on the Field on Which All Had Once
Been Foes-The Presidents Letter.
FREDERICKSBURG, VA, May 12.--At an
early hour this morning all the visiting
members of the Sixth army corps, who had
come to Virginia to dedicate the memorial
tablet to Gen Sedgwck were on their way
to the battlefield of Spottsylvania Court
House. Many went by way Of Salem church
In order to see aguin the old shot-riddled
structure near which Gen. Sedgwick's corps
had a severe battle with Gen. Lees forces IN
1853 About II o'clock the veterans reached
the battlefield, where they were met and
warmly welcomed by large number of Vir.
ginians, including many ex-Confederates
who had gathered there to greet them and
to witness the ceremonies. Gen. II. G.
Wright, as presiding officer, called the as
semblage TO order at the monument and
prayer was osfxrea by Rev. j. N. Ritner
late Brevet Captai1of the Forty ninth Penn
sylvania Volunteers.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT,
After music by the Fredericksburg Band
Gen. Wright delivered the opening address
and the following letter was read from
President Cleveland:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, April 2S 1857.
John Rodgers, ESQ.,, Recording Secretary, Efc.l
My DEAR SIR--I have to-day received an invita-
tion on behalf of thr Sedgwick Memorial Associak
ti9n to attend at on the 18th ay next ths t
where Maj. Gen, John Sedgwick was killed
Patriotic sentiment and devotion which oE4e4
among the busy throngs OF life imposing maHif
ments in memory of those who died In batt.1&
probation of our soldier dead. which is de4iiI.
inwoven as part of our national life. But Wi'&M
ground is marked and set apart where in yNlQ#
GUS fights blood was shed and sacrifice Or lI{%
was made which preserved us a nation, q f64
shrine is erected where all who love their cdll,&
try may devoutly worship Elaborate shaft9 q
marble fittingly remind us of our soldier d44
and of their bravery and patriotism, but tl
touching service your association content pie
shall chasten all our thoughts OF them by pQiIE
ing out on sacred grounds the spot where bIf!
was bravely shed and life was patfiotic1/2E
offered up. 80
With thanks to the association for their
membrance of me at this time, and regret
that official duties will prevent my accept2fl
Of the invitation rendered me, ! am yours 49,
truly, GROVER CLEvELArQSz
Letters were also received from the Cow
ernors Of Connecticut, Virginia, Marylaud,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New YQf#
and Massachusetts,, and the Mayor of Phil6
delphia, as well as from Gems. SheridaE1
Sherman and Keifer and Lieut.. John (f2.
Fisher, of the Fourteenth New Jersey Vol
unteers, who witnessed Gen. Sedgwie&'N
fall
UNWILLING THE TABLET.
The memorial tablet was then unvoi
by Gen Wright, commander of the Corr
assisted by six officers of Gen. Getty's d
sion. -
Gen. J. W. Latta, of Pennsylvania,
tor Of the day, then delivered his addf
which was listened to with profound att
ton and was frequently Interrupted by
plause. -
At its conclusion Lieut.. Col. Pingree,
Governor of Vermont, made an earnest
patriotic speech In which he expressed
hope that this country would never again
involved in var, but if war should come
he said, wo.ild be Union men. The speal
was frequently applauded and his speech
a whole vas enthusiastically received.
The ,,enediction was then pronounceds II
Chaplain John W. Sayres, of the Gf41
Arn:y of the Republic Of Pennsylvania.
Late in the afternoon the veterans ~
turned to Fredericksburg, where a caH<F
FIRE is now being held by the ex-Copfe
ates' Association